There he was, as he usually was. Standing alone outside the Mart. The difference this evening was that he was early. I'd always managed to slip into work before his arrival (not a difficult task considering he seemed to waltz in when ever he pleased). No doubt in my mind that this was going to be a rough shift for me tonight. Was he to play his innocent, 'regular guy', game on me again? Which, I was now convinced that that is what it was; a game to him. He was the cat. I, his helpless mouse.

I pulled into an empty spot, in the back of the lot. In no hurry to get inside, I sluggishly step out of the car. Amber followed my action from the passenger's side of the vehicle, closing the door behind her. She looked over at Tom, leaning there 'oh so' casually against the front wall.

Flashing me a smile and a wink over the roof of the car, she let out a small 'Mmm'. I wanted to scream! She truly had no idea of the evil that lay under that tantalizing exterior. I said nothing; I wasn't even able to muster a fake smile to return to her. I had my proof, but I was certain that Amber still wouldn't see it (Tom would make sure of that). All she'd see was that her best friend had lost her mind, and was now physically harming herself to justify the stories. She'd have me committed for sure!

Amber came around the car to my side and gave me a giant hug,

"Lighten up a little. There are worse things then a Hot co-worker." She whispered this in my ear before sliding into the driver's seat. She gave a wave, as the car sped off and out of the parking lot. Ya, sure there are, and I'm living them! I stood there for a few minutes, staring at the pavement before me. What was I doing, Going to work with a Vampire? It was like this was a normal action. What else was I to do? Taking a deep breath, I turn and head towards the doors. Life goes on(at least, for now).

I couldn't avoid it, I'd have to go right passed him to get in. That walk felt like the last mile on death row! I noticed now, that he hadn't been standing there alone as I had thought. Sarah was there, standing

right next to him, and looking as bright as ever! Well, she sure made a quick recovery! Tom's arm was laid loosely around her shoulders. They were both engulfed in a cloud of smoke. Filthy habit. One (if the only) of

Sarah's flaws. As perfect as she seemed, it was a comfort to know that she'd look old and withered before her time, probably cancer ridden as well. This is what I told myself.

She held a lit cigarette between her fingers. I could feel Tom's eyes on me, before turning briefly towards Sarah. She handed him the cig, he took a small puff, then handed it back. His stare returning to me . Tom smokes? I hadn't noticed him doing that before?

As I reached the door, I lifted my head and looked over at him as I grasped for the handle. His eyes met with mine. For some reason I couldn't bring myself to look away. Tom then tightened his arm around Sarah. She smiled and tucked herself in close, burying her face in the mass of blond dreads that cascaded over his shoulder. Tom smirked, responding to the expression on my face as she did this. I rolled my eyes and turned my head away as I went through the door. Jealous? Me?! Nah … Well … It couldn't be. Why would I have feelings for someone (or something) - who was only after me for my vital fluids?

Tucking myself away in the back room, with a book (I hadn't intended to read), and my cell phone at hand, I squatted down in a small arm chair. I didn't really plan on reading, just trying to retain some semblance of normality. Honestly, I was just hiding. The star of my shift had been rough. Tom went about, what ever it is that Penn paid him for. There were no connotations, no lusty kisses on the counter, but the lack of

happenings was disconcerting. I don't know what I had expected to happen, but 'nothing' wasn't it.

I made sure that I locked both doors as I came in as a little insurance that I would not be accosted at work again! My flip-flopping thoughts of Tom in no way diluted my fear of him. I'd seen what he was capable of. Knowing, for certain, that all that had taken place was my new reality, sent the tears back. 'Tarra, toughen up! You need a plan', but what? For starters, I would be sure to stay clear of one Thomas Payne! I'll quit! That's it! That's what I'll do, and… I'll move

Absent mindedly, my fingers found the two punctures on my neck. They had already begun to heal over. Much too quickly for my liking! Wounds like these would normally take days to get to the stage that they were at now! What was going on?

I flipped open my cell phone and glanced down at the time. My break would be over soon, and this would no doubt be the first place Penn would come looking for me. Straightening my legs, I prepared to stand. A sharp, and unexpected knock on the door caught me off guard. I stumbled back a bit, knocking over some boxes. I stepped over to it. Pausing, I leaned my back against it. Tom! My first thought, but it could just be Penn. Cutting a few minutes off my break is not unusual for her. The knock came again, this time with more haste. Regardless of who it was, I'd have to open up eventually. Reluctantly, I slid the rusty lock to the side.

The door flung open and within seconds, I was pushed backwards into the room! Staggering again, I fell back to where I had just previously sat. The door closing shut once more. My heart was racing. I stared up at the new addition to the cramped storage room. 'Bill!?', Tom's brother.

I'll admit, there was relief in seeing him here (as apposed to Tom), but being rushed by yet another 'Fanged Fury', was frightening!

"I have to speak with you!…" Bill's fangs were bared and he spoke in an urgent hush. The words almost hissed out as he spoke. He'd looked as though he had just escaped the clutches of a starving animal, sporting a multitude of scratches. His mane of hair, tamed. Brushed back from his pale but perfect face, and hanging long against his back. A silk ribbon holding it in place.

Bill knelt down in front of me, raising his hands towards me. Instinctively, leaned away.

"Trust me! I won't harm you." He shook his head reassuringly. Again, I believed him. Scared stiff by 'what' he was, I found comfort in 'who' he was. He pulled out a small vial of dark green liquid, his other hand clasped the side of my neck. With his thumb, he tilted my head to the side, exposing the markings."… I tried to do this long ago with Tom, but he was too far along and he fought it." I know my expression was one of confusion, I could feel my brow furrow.

"Too far along...? What do you mean?" My question went unanswered. Bill snaked a hand through my hair, combing it back from the punctures. With a flick from long nail, he uncorked the vile. Placing a finger over

the tiny opening, he inverted it, coaxing the thick substance to the tube's mouth. The aroma, faint at first, was appalling! "What ...is that, stuff?" I'd kept my head at the angle in which Bill had directed, and now nervously eyed the small dollop of tar at the tip of his finger.

"Kialbay Hittayed,…'Black Night'. The only known substance to slow down the process..." Obtaining what he had needed, he placed the cork back and slid the vile into a pocket.

"Process? What process?…" Bill traced a cool finger over the bite. Then, there was a sharp prick, "Ouch!, Hey -" Bill had re-opened my wounds with the razor like edge of this nail, and was now dabbing that 'goo' into the holes!

"Sorry." I watched him in silence while he caressed the 'Kialbay' into my skin, as if it were 'Vapour Rub'. Much fairer then Tom, almost translucent, -but Beautiful all the same. The pain came, slowly at first, then in harsh waves. An ear-splitting scream filled the air. Bill's lips were pursed, so this only left me to blame for it. I don't believe had never screamed so loudly in my life! Much like that night Tom had forced his

blood into me. The agony shot through my body, but here was no pleasure masking this pain. The room was spinning, my eyes glazed, I felt as though I would start to convulse if it did not let up!

Bill pressed his hand to the scalding wound, his other, around my waist in an attempt to hold me

still. My screams turning to whimpers, as finally my discomfort waned. Then all was quiet.

"Forgive me for the tribulation, but… its the only way."

"What was that? What did you just do?" I weakly demanded, breathing heavily.

"Tarra! You had been infected. A result of Tom's selfishness! You have no choice now as to what you will become, but you do have a choice as to how to live your 'new' life. You needn't be tortured, there is a way to exist somewhat peacefully."

"What?! Wha - " His eyes averting mine, he was still kneeling front of me as he tried to explain.

"Tom refused my help, and now… it's just too late for him. The Kialbay will cut down your hunger, but, I warn you, this will not last forever. You will need blood, it is the sustenance of our curse. A fact that can not be fought and won,… But cravings can be controlled... to some extent…" Bill paused, looking down at the palm of his hand, then closing it tightly, as if to hide what he saw there. It was then that he looked up into my eyes,

"I'm sorry my brother has done this to you. And, I am sorry for what I am about to ask of you… Please,… don't be angry with him. He truly doesn't realize what he's doing."

Although Bill spoke clearly, I still felt dazed by his words. Was he saying what I thought he was saying? Had he cured me, or just prolonged the inevitable? Much like a diabetic taking insulin, would I have to subject myself to what I had just gone through on a regular basis? I don't think I could bare that! If I didn't, would I become like Tom? Regardless, was I fated to be, … a Vampire?

I woke up coming face to face with a bloody pillow. The madness had not yet started, but who knew when it would. I was nothing more than a ticking bomb now. It was only a matter of time before it began. I lifted my cheek from the bloody mass of fabric and feathers. The blood seemed to be trailing from my mouth.

Though I was now a vampire and would have to get used to this sigh, it was still all too alarming. I escaped to the bathroom resting my bruised throat on the porcelain edge, hanging my face into the bowl of the sink. I spewed out any food of which happened to be left in my stomach. As I did so I heard a small 'clunk'. Two actually! I opened my eyes. Amongst my stomach's 'Picasso', I glimpsed two white objects. I washed what I could of the mess down the drain, so I could better see my discovery. My teeth! ( That explains the blood ). I picked them up and set them on the vanity.

Turning away and into the mirror, I pulled my lip up to examine my mouth. My gums were red and gleaming. Beneath them (...where a pair of normal chompers, once were...) ... fangs. Long, white, sharp, ... deadly!

I scowered the room for the tiny vial Bill had given me previously. Searching sweaters and coats, turning out jean pockets, etc. I remember Bill saying the effects were immediate, lasting up to at least 24 hours.

When I thought I had checked the whole room, double over I spied somewhere that I knew I hadn't looked. I didn't remember putting anything there thought. I knelt down on the dusty floor, inches from my bed.

With both hands, I felt around underneath for unevenness in the wood. My fingers soon ran roughly over the grainy floorboards. I lifted the sheets, hanging over my arms, acting like a wall, to better visualize my task. Using a rusty, old nail (stored next to the bed post), I began to jab at the edges of the loose plank.

The nail made many new holes and dents in the flooring, until it finally cracked down between the boards. I lifted them up, revealing the hollowed out storage space beneath. Bubble gum (from Easter), shaped like 'eggs'; Money, rolled together with a rubber band, tinged a yellowish brown. Dust bunnies galore. I stashed everything here.

I plowed through the mess with a shaking hand. The small, smooth bottle-like item, filled my palm as I lifted it. I jammed the wood back into place, covering it back up with the bed spread. My fingers remained enclosed, tightly around the flimsy vial. It was as if the slightest wrong movement, would break it, spilling its contents everywhere.

The cork was in the mouth snuggly, as to not let anything escape. Bleeding through the holes, was a dark liquid. Kialbay!

A familiar and most sudden jolt of pain filled my ears. Like the sound of a thousand killer bee's, eyeing my ear lobe, as a place to firmly plant their behinds. As if the noise wasn't enough!

I screamed. My hand grew pale as the colour seeped out of my pores, in the form of blood; Creating many knew wounds. Amongst the painful buzzing, I heard a small tinkling and a crash. I threw my eyes towards the floor. NO!! Rage game over me.

I slammed down to the sodden floor, slurping up the liquid, pouring from the slashed vial and the now unattached, un-corked mouth. The dark fluid quickly evaporated and I was left with my tongue on the dusty floor. I began to panic. Without that potion … I could seriously hurt someone. I hung my head down to the ground – my hands outstretched keeping me from hitting the surface. I looked over at my hands. My finger nails were twice the size their original length. What is happening?

I knew exactly what I would become, but … how I got that way… I would have to find out the hard way. I've got to get out of here. But wait! What about Amber? Should I tell her of my curse? No, she'd never believe me. My only hope is to get away. And soon!

I ripped through my drawers for something to clothe my body: A thick, black sweater with a hood, over top of my silk, white pajamas. I exchanged my shorts for a pair of jeans. Down the stairs I flew nothing in hand to drag me down. I paused at the terra firma of the steps to sit and pull on my sneakers. I was interrupted by the sound of little paws running towards me, and the tinkling of bells with every step.

Gibb marched up to my, collar in his teeth and set it down by me on the stairs. I've no idea what good this collar really does for Gibson, since he's only going to rip it off. Gibb would constantly run to me with his teeth planted into the leather strap and show me his newest accomplishment of the day. Removing this collar brought great joy to my puppy, so he felt the need to show off his efforts to me, not realizing I'd only put it back on. Today I had no time. My own version of a arctic bear in miniature.

I tightened my laces around my feet and took to my feet. Gibb stopped jumping around my feet and picked up a slobbery ball from the floor nearby. I could never acquire in teaching him how to fetch, or roll over, bringing me to the conclusion that he was not a show dog, but there just to be a friend. One thing Gibson did know though was when something was up.

Neither I, nor Amber could resist his adorable form and always ended up late for appointments, interviews, parties, stopping to play with him until he'd had enough of us. Gibb dropped the ball and got up on two. His height on his hind legs only barely reached my knee-caps. He pawed at my leg playfully.

"Sorry baby, not now." He sat back down. I avoided his glare and trotted off to the door. I could here his pathetic whimper behind me as I scooted out the small gap onto my front step. The last thing I saw was the big sad eyes of my precious doggy as I closed it tight. Probably the last he will ever see of me…as a human.

The door creaked open and I could see Bill's beautiful eyes through the flimsy gap. He flung the door open and pulled me in. He did this so quickly I had no time to think and was briefly clipped against Bill's chest. Tonight he seemed surprisingly cold. His t-shirt clung to him just so, as if he was dripping in something. I glanced down at the arm that still hugged me close to him as he closed the door gently and quietly. Blood streaked down in three massive strokes – A bloody dagger sheathed in his pocket.

"Tarra, this is no place for a young maiden… especially you… on a night such as this. Why have you come?," He threw a worried look over his shoulder and then continued to stare within my eyes. It was so intense I felt I should look away.

"I came for the … Kialbay… I dropped it. By accident William I swear. I didn't mean to … What do I do? I don't have much longer. What's going to happen to me?" I began to cry. The tears ran thick and heavy down my cheeks onto my sweater. He continued to stare at me. I looked up, not being able to face his gaze, ending up looking at his lips. They were …they were … shining, and, … dark.

I felt a great attraction to him. I didn't know what it was or how it came to be but it was scaring me. Bill glanced down at the stony floor, as if in deep thought. As he stood there, … silent. I couldn't help but wonder. Why was he being so kind to me? I licked my lips. They were lonely. How could I help it. I lunged at him, lifting his head in my hands, and leaned in. Our lips locked. My body tingled as I pulled away.

Bill stared up at me. A painful jolt shot up my spine. It came to me like a bullet from a gun. Kialbay! His lips. The dark, green colour. He had been drinking the potion. My lips were now moist. A thick liquid ran over them. I quickly revived myself with a swipe of my tongue, clearing it from my mouth. It was only a taste, but I was hoping it'd last. … For now.

"I'm sorry … I I … it was involuntary. It just happened." He glared at me.

"As you may have guessed, this potion is not of high supply. It takes a decade to create the perfect pot, and only then may you drink it. The effects of this drink varies among the drinker. You, in this case, have taken to the urge of fulfilling your cravings,"

"...What does that mean?" I licked my lips again, moistening them with yet another layer of saliva.

"Blood is your calling now. Human, Animal... Beast – Makes no difference to us. What we long for is blood. The blood of the living. Without which we have nothing. Our existence will become scarce... But … we will not die. We search the world until we are satisfied. Some, will stop at nothing for blood. Some, will do the same to cease from gaining this blood in drinking the Kialbay…." He paused in his speech to check his back once more, then continued to speak, glaring around the empty chamber. "You … are one of those people. I fear, that you are more than just a vampire. Worse, much worse …"

"I…I don't understand,"

"Tarra, tell me, do you know about the history of us vampires?" I shook my head. "We are masters of seduction. A vampire will go to any lengths to get their fill. When they cannot retract the vital fluids they need ...'Willingly'… Force is a second best option. The result … generally … murder"

I shook my head. Refusing to believe this. Lies! That's what they were 'LIES'. It can't be true. It cant! I backed away from him.

"Tarra … I fear that if you don't find some Kialbay and soon …" He brought up a sharp razor-like finger nail and sliced the air across his neck before him. I gasped.

"Where can I find some! You've got to tell me where.. please!" I screamed.

"There is only one other who may be able to help. But … I warn you …He is not one of us. Their may be a price to pay… a very painful admission…"

"Well … who is it?!"

"Nicholas S'dtrawsser!!"